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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 11 · Chapter 27: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Instructions on the Process of Deity Worship
11.27.2811.27.30-31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.27.29

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.27.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

दुर्गां विनायकं व्यासं विष्वक्सेनं गुरून्सुरान् ।

स्वे स्वे स्थाने त्वभिमुखान् पूजयेत् प्रोक्षणादिभि: ॥ २९ ॥

durgāṁ vināyakaṁ vyāsaṁ

viṣvaksenaṁ gurūn surān

sve sve sthāne tv abhimukhān

pūjayet prokṣaṇādibhiḥ

Translation

With offerings such as prokṣaṇa one should worship Durgā, Vināyaka, Vyāsa, Viṣvaksena, the spiritual masters and the various demigods. All these personalities should be in their proper places facing the Deity of the Lord.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respect the Lord’s Eternal Servitors

  1. 1

    Durgā, Vināyaka, Vyāsa, Viṣvaksena, the spiritual masters and the demigods should receive offerings such as prokṣaṇa. Each should be in the proper place, facing the Lord’s Deity.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that the Gaṇeśa and Durgā mentioned here are eternal associates in Vaikuṇṭha, not the personalities present in the material world.

  3. 3

    Durgā can name the Lord’s internal potency, from whom the external, covering potency expands. A devotee should not fear pollution from honoring the Durgā mentioned here, but should respect these eternal servitors.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, the Gaṇeśa and Durgā mentioned in this verse are not the same personalities present within the material world; rather, they are eternal associates of the Lord in Vaikuṇṭha.
  • The external, or covering, potency of the Lord expands from this original Durgā.
  • Thus a devotee should not fear becoming polluted by worshiping the Durgā mentioned here, who has the same name as illusion, but rather the devotee must show respect to these eternal servitors of the Supreme Lord in Vaikuṇṭha.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Striving → Complete devotional trust. The Lord redirects Uddhava toward enduring loving service.

Chapters 21–29 of Canto 11: Spiritual practice culminating in bhakti-yoga. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 27: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Instructions on the Process of Deity Worship

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After this, one should worship the Lord’s personal servants and bodyguards, His consort energies, and the spiritual masters by chanting their respective mūla-mantras. The worshiper should recite prayers from the Purāṇas and other sources, offer obeisances flat on the ground, beg for benediction, and place on himself the remnants of the Lord’s garlands.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. durgāmthe Lord’s spiritual energy
  2. vināyakamthe original Gaṇeśa
  3. vyāsamthe compiler of the Vedas
  4. viṣvaksenamViṣvaksena
  5. gurūnone’s spiritual masters
  6. surānthe demigods
  7. sve sveeach in his own
  8. sthāneplace
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “worship”, “devotee”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “fear”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this explanation help me honor the Lord’s servitors without confusing their identities?

Practice

Write one sentence noting that the Durgā mentioned here is an eternal associate of the Lord in Vaikuṇṭha.

Live this todayRespect the Lord’s Eternal ServitorsThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 11.27.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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